Maps of Music

Something Else (2008)

Where the lyrics of Something Else take you, and where it was really made.

Something Else was certified gold by the RIAA on December 6, 2024, more than 16 years after its 2008 release.

Key places

Recorded at Conway Studios, Los Angeles (2008)

Recording site Conway Recording Studios — Conway Studios is listed as a place where this album was recorded. The recording credits name it among the studios used. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York (2008)

Recording site Electric Lady Studios — Electric Lady Studios in New York is listed as a place where this album was recorded. The recording credits name it among the studios used. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Chalice Recording Studios, Los Angeles (2008)

Recording site Chalice Recording — Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles is listed as a place where this album was recorded. The recording credits name it among the studios used. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

Something Else: third studio album by American R&B singer Robin Thicke
Released September 30, 2008
Follow-up to The Evolution of Robin Thicke (2006), recorded with longtime collaborator Pro-Jay
Blends live instrumentation with classic Philadelphia soul, Motown, and 1970s disco
Features a guest appearance by Lil Wayne
Lyrics widen from personal introspection to social inequality, relationships, empathy, and hope
Twelve songs on the track listing

Background

Predecessor A Beautiful World (2003) underperformed commercially
The Evolution of Robin Thicke (2006) moved toward softer, more mature blue-eyed soul and R&B
That album sold 1,521,000 copies in the United States
Thicke returned to the studio right after touring for The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Unlike its predecessor, produced entirely by Thicke and Pro-Jay
Thicke said the recession and war had created a need for something new, which he saw as an opportunity for change and hope
He linked the album's hopeful tone to the 2008 US presidential election and Barack Obama's campaign for change
Thicke associated the romantic, optimistic songs with Paris, where he wrote portions of the album
Cited Michael Jackson's idealism and uplifting music as another influence

Recording

Recorded mainly with live instruments rather than synthesizers and drum machines
Instruments include guitars, percussion, organs, Wurlitzer and Rhodes keyboards, and string and horn sections
Many songs grew out of studio jam sessions; others started as compositions Thicke brought to the band
Recording studios listed: Conway Studios and Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, Electric Lady Studios in New York
Mixing listed at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Artist

Formation

Robin Alan Thicke, born March 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer.
Son of actress Gloria Loring and actor Alan Thicke.
Began career as a songwriter and producer for other artists before releasing his own music; signed with Interscope Records at age 16.

Career

Debut album A Beautiful World (2002) was commercially unsuccessful.
Signed with Pharrell Williams' Star Trak Entertainment in 2005; The Evolution of Robin Thicke (2006) peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hit "Lost Without U".
Later albums include Something Else (2008), Sex Therapy: The Session (2009), Love After War (2011), and Blurred Lines (2013).
"Blurred Lines" (2013) topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains among the best-selling singles of all time.
Has been a panelist on The Masked Singer since 2019.

Members

Solo artist; recorded under his surname Thicke until 2005.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

Critics generally gave favorable reviews
Critics compared his voice and style to Marvin Gaye
Praise for his vocals, focused songwriting, and atmospheric production
Criticism for lack of innovation and occasional lyrical excess
AllMusic editor Andy Kellman wrote that this was Thicke's most focused, least scattered set, and that it benefits from being shorter than The Evolution of Robin Thicke
Entertainment Weekly critic Leah Greenblatt wrote that little here is truly innovative, but Thicke handles old tricks well
The Boston Globe critic Sarah Rodman praised the atmospheres, from Latin-pop grooves to pop symphonies
Billboard critic Mikael Wood said the album picks up where the last hit single left off, with a whiff of schmaltz but strong singing
Rolling Stone critic Jody Rosen gave three out of five stars, finding the songwriting teetering into self-parody
Vibe editor Sean Fennessey called it a strange, refreshing amalgam, while noting Thicke is less technically gifted than his influences
Blender editor Barry Walters said Thicke was thinnest where catchy, impactful songs were needed

Records

US Billboard 200 debut and peak: number three, with 136,944 first-week copies
Second week: number 12 with 38,577 copies, then number 11 the following week
Opened at number three on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Three singles; two reached number two on US Adult R&B Songs
RIAA gold certification on December 6, 2024, more than 16 years after release, for 500,000 certified units based on shipments

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

Tie My Hands was written after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina; Thicke played an early version for Lil Wayne, who was moved by it
Lil Wayne contacted Thicke about collaborating, and the 2008 recording became their third collaboration after Shooter and All Night Long
Shadow of Doubt was written after an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which Thicke felt uneasy and unprepared for despite its good reception
Dreamworld drew partly on his marriage to Paula Patton and his observations of her experiences as a black woman
New York influenced the driving, groove-oriented songs Sidestep and Something Else

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

View on the map

Maps of Ages ↗ (mapsofages.com)

Privacy · Contact